Palace in Wilanów (Pałac w Wilanowie)

The history of Wilanów Palace began in April 1677, when the village of Milanów became the property of King Jan III Sobieski. The village soon changed its name to Villa Nova (meaning 'new town'), and then to Wilanów. The original residence was rather modest, since Augustine Locci, the King’s official architect, was asked to design a single storey house, to signify a typical building of the Polish Republic. However, military success and the growing importance of the monarchy in the years that followed contributed to the significant expansion of the original project. A massive extension was carried out from 1677-1696: after it was complete, the palace was an interesting combination of a Polish noble's mansion, an Italian garden villa and a palace in the classic style of French King Louis the 14th. After the death of the King, the palace became the property of his sons, but it was severely neglected, and in 1720, it was taken over by Elżbieta Sieniawska. Over the next nine years, she continued the construction work initiated by Sobieski, for example, she had the side wings built onto the palace. After her death, her daughter, Maria Zofia Denhoff inherited the palace. In 1730, Wilanów Palace was under the control of King August II Mocny, who made many changes, especially in terms of the interior decoration. In the middle of the 18th century, Izabela Lubomirska inherited Wilanów, and strived to return the palace to its earlier prestige and glory. 69 years later, she handed the palace to her daughter and her husband Stanisław Kostka Potocki. In 1805, largely thanks to his efforts, one of the first museums in Poland opened in Wilanów Palace. The Potocki family was associated with Wilanów until 1892, when the last of the family, Alexandra, gave the residence to her cousin Ksawery Branicki. The Branicki family resided in Wilanów until September 1944, and then in January 1945, care of the palace was handed over to the National Museum of Warsaw. Wilanów Palace is one of the few historic buildings in Warsaw that was completely untouched and undamaged during World War II, and it stands today as a wonderful example of completely original Baroque architecture.